Philenews

Reduced Working Hours in the Public Sector to be Implemented in February

Published January 15, 2026, 08:17
Reduced Working Hours in the Public Sector to be Implemented in February

Reduced working hours in the public sector will be implemented in February, allowing specific categories of employees to work up to two hours less per day, with a corresponding reduction in pay. Eligible employees include parents of children up to 15 years old, caregivers of family members, and public servants with disabilities or serious health problems. At the same time, flexible working hours are being extended, offering public employees greater autonomy in organizing their working time. The Department of Public Administration and Personnel has issued a circular with guidelines for implementing the new measures. Applications for reduced working hours are submitted annually and can be modified up to twice a year. The extension of flexible working hours allows employees to arrive at work between 7:00 and 9:00 a.m. and leave between 2:30 and 4:00 p.m.